Fluid treating apparatus for strands



May 24, 1955 E. c. GIBSON EI'AL 2,708,843

FLUID TREATING APPARATUS FOR STRANDS' Filed Aug. 10. 1950 I \JI 4/ m E 47 I 47 INVENTORS. if sues/v5 c. ammo/v WARD M HOX/E ATTORNX United States Patent FLUID TREATING APPARATUS FOR STRANDS Eugene C. Gibson, Bon Air, and Howard M. Hoxie, Chester, Pa., assignors, by mesne assignments, to The Cheinstrand Corporation, Decatur, Ala., a corporation of Delaware Application August 10, 1950, Serial No. 178,628

17 Claims. (Cl. 68-5) This invention relates to an improved apparatus for the treatment of yarns and like materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for treating natural, synthetic, or artificial yarns and monofilaments with fluid media in liquid or vapor condition during their travel from one point to another. Further, the invention is concerned with utilizing fluid media for applying heat to filamentary material, or for applying heat while simultaneously softening the textile material by virtue of a swelling or solvent action of the vapors thereupon. The invention is further adapted to plasticizing or softening textile materials, especially when in the form of yarn-like bundles, when it is desired to shrink or stretch such materials in softened condition.

The present invention is applicable to the treatment of yarns made from various types of materials, such as cotton, wool, flax, hemp, etc., regenerated cellulose, such as that produced from viscose, cuprammonium cellulose, and the like, cellulose ethers and esters, such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, etc., cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, cellulose-propionate, cellulose butyrate, mixed cellulose ethers and esters, vinyl resins, such as polyacrylonitrile, copolymers of acrylonitrile, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, copolymers of vinyl chloride with vinyl acetate or acrylonitrile, afterchlorinated vinyl polymers and copolymers, vinylidene polymers, such as polyvinylidene chloride, etc., and condeusation polymers, such as polyamides and polyesters, and the like, etc.

Strand, as used throughout this specification and the appended claims, is intended to include all types of strands, threads, yarns, filaments, fibers, fibrous bundles, bundles of filaments or filamentary material, ribbons, bands, extruded wire, rods, and the like, etc.

Various and sundry types of apparatus are presently employed for treatment of strand material with liquids or vapors, either cold or hot, and in particular heated vapors under pressure. For example, there are many different types of drying chambers through which the strand is passed while following a complex course and into which heated air or other gas is introduced at the same time. When it is desired to condition the strands, they may be subjected to steam in a similar apparatus. In all such apparatus, where the fluid medium is under high pressure, damage to the strand at the ports of entry and exit often results because of irregular escape of the fluid media therefrom, which causes abrasion of the strand.

For example, it is the practice to treat synthetic or arice to abrasion. There is a pressure drop across the openings and the escaping steam exerts a frictional eifect on the strand passing through the openings, which sets up a tension in the strand in addition to the tension exerted by any mechanical stretching devices. The tension due to this pressure drop adversely affects the strand, often resulting in chafing or breaking thereof, especially at the entrance opening when the flow of steam from the inclosure is countercurrent to the direction of travel of the strand. Further, it is desirous in strand-treating apparatus to have a large opening in the treating area to facilitate the lacing up of the apparatus or introduction of the strand therein, while at the same time the opening should be variable so that its size may be readily decreased during operation.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for the continuous treatment of strands with a fluid medium which overcomes the hereinbefore mentioned ditficulties and disadvantages.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for the treatment of strands continuously with a fluid medium in which damage to the yarns by escaping fluid is substantially eliminated.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for the treatment of strands continuously with a fluid medium which is easily laced or threaded at the start of operation and still effectively reduces the escape of fluid to a minimum during operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the continuous treatment of strands with a fluid under pressure in which there is provided means for regulating or controlling the diameter of the strand discharge and/or entrance orifices and means in combination therewith for centering the strand in the orifices.

It is another and specific object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for the continuous treatment of strands with a fluid under pressure in which valves are employed at the discharge and/or entrance orifices and Which valves have flexible and heatresistant members therein which are capable of enlarging or decreasing the diameter of the orifices.

Gther objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious from the description thereof hereinafter.

The objects of the present invention are in general accomplished by passing a strand to be treated continuously through a chamber While at the same time passing a fluid medium, such as steam or super-heated steam, through the chamber in the same direction, preferably, as the direction of travel of the strand.

At the entrance or discharge end of the chamber or at both the entrance and discharge ends of the chamber, there is placed a valve having a hollow sleeve or tube of a resilient material positioned therein such that by merely tightening the sleeve or sleeves the orifice or orifices are constricted thus substantially eliminating the escape of steam or other fluid.

The present invention contemplates the use of an elastomer, which may or may not be resistant to high temperatures, from which to make the resilient valve sleeve or tube. Various elastomeric materials are suitable depending upon the fluid media being employed and the temperature of the same. For example, there may be employed rubber, both natural and synthetic, gums, flexible resins, and in particular, when operating at high temperatures, the rubber-like silicone resins made from organo-silicon esters as described in U. S. Patent 2,511,297, etc. It is preferred, however, to employ condensation products of dimethyl siloxane as the elastomeric material.

Since the present invention is applicable to numerous and different types of strand-treating apparatus, for simplicity the invention will be described in detail as the same is employed in connection with only a few of such apparatus, and it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing are merely intended to be illustrative and the invention is not to be limited thereby, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevation view in section of one embodiment of the invention as the same is used with a strand-stretching tube,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the valve employed on the tube shown in Figure 1, such valve being shown in tightened position,

Figure 3 is a side elevation View in section of another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic View of the invention as the same is employed in connection with a strand drying or humidifying chamber,

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of another type strandcentering device, and

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a valve comprising another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, a strand 3 passes around a godet or wheel 4 and an associated lap-displacing guide 5, through a relatively narrow chamber or tube 6, which may be made of glass, porcelain, iron, steel, copper, and the like, etc., through a valve 7 attached to one end of tube 6, through the annular strand centering guide 8 attached to valve 7 by means of brackets 9 and 10, and then about another godet or wheel 11 and its associated lap-displacing guide 12.

The tube 6 is wrapped or lagged with a suitable insulating material 13, such as asbestos, rock wool, or the like.

One end of tube 6 is attached to a housing 14 which has a funnel-shaped opening 15 therein terminating in a small tubular opening 16 extending into tube 6. Housing 14 also contains an annular chamber 17 which opens into tube 6 about tube 16. Extending into housing 14 and opening into chamber 17 is a conduit 18 which supplies the steam or other fluid to tube 6.

On the other end of tube 6, there is mounted a valve 7 which comprises a socket 19 which is adapted to receive a hollow or annular sleeve 25) of an elastomer, such as a condensation product of dimethyl siloxane. A packing gland 21 is positioned back of or adjacent to the sleeve and a coupling member 22 is threadedly mounted on the socket 19. As shown, ball bearings 23 and a washer 24 are disposed between the inwardly extending flange of coupling 22 and the gland 2E. The ball bearings and washer are optional, however, and may be eliminated if desired. Extending outwardly from coupling 22 is a handle 25 by means of which the coupling is rotated on the socket 19. While a hand-operated means for rotating coupling 22 has been shown, any other suitable means may be employed, such as a sprocket and chain or a pulley and belt attached to a suitable driving means, etc.

Referring in particular to Figure 2, there is shown the valve 7 with the coupling 22 in tightened position. When the coupling is tightened, the resilient elastomerie or silicone resin sleeve 20 is forced against the inner surface of socket 19 by the gland 21. Since the silicone sleeve can only deform inwardly the size of the opening 26 in valve 7, which corresponds to the size of the opening in tube 6, is decreased as shown. The size of opening 26 may be varied depending upon the degree that coupling 22 is tightened on socket 19. The guide 8 insures that the yarn 3 will go through the center of the valve and will not wear away the silicone sleeve 20 by friction. Thus, the opening 26 can be decreased in size to such an extent to permit passage of the strand therethrough while at the same time cutting the steam loss from tube 6 to a minimum.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that a second valve 27, similar in construction to valve 7, is employed at the other or strand entrance end of tube 6. The remainder of the apparatus is similar in construction to the embodiment in Figure 1. The socket 28 of valve 27 extends out from and forms an integral part of the housing 14. A coupling member 29 is threadedly mounted on the socket 28 and has a handle 30 extending outwardly therefrom. Socket 28 is adapted to receive a hollow or annular sleeve 31 of an elastomer, such as an elastic silicone resin. A packing gland 32 is positioned back of or adjacent to the sleeve 31. Optionally ball bearings 33 and a washer 34 are disposed between the inwardly extending flange of the coupling member 29 and the gland 32. Extending outwardly from the end of the coupling member 29 are brackets 35 and 36 supporting the annular strand-centering guide 37 which, in conjunction with guide 8, serves to center the yarn in the apparatus. While in the embodiments depicted in Figures 1-3, there has been shown an annular strand-centering guide, any type guide or centering device may be employed, such as a V-shaped guide, rollers, pig-tail guides, or the like, etc.

At the start of operation, the valve 7, and 27 if the embodiment shown in Figure 3 is being employed, are adjusted as shown in Figures 1 and 3 with the silicone resin sleeves in normal position. The strand is directed into the funnel-shaped opening 15, into the tube 16, and then into tube 6. At the same time the fluid, e. g. steam, is introduced into the annular chamber 17 and thence into tube 6 by conduit 18 at any desired pressure. The steam aids in lacing up or threading the tube, to facilitate which the valves are wide open. The strand is directed through the guide 8 onto godet 11 which is run at a higher rate of speed than godet 4 in order to stretch the yarn. However, when the apparatus is used for fluid treatment only, the godets are run at the same speed, or if it is desirable to shrink the strand, godet 11 is run at a slower speed than godet 4. Once the tube is laced, the coupling 22 is rotated in order to deform the silicone resin sleeve 20 and thus decrease the diameter of the opening 26 to a point which just allows the yarn to pass through freely. Sleeve 31 is likewise deformed when using the embodiment in Figure 3.

The deformation of the silicone resin sleeves prevents the escape of steam and permits reduced operating pressures. The steam may be super-heated depending upon the temperature desired in the tube. The tube 6 may be any desired length depending upon the contact time between steam and yarn desired. While the operation of the apparatus has been described in connection with steam specifically, it is to be understood that the invention contemplates the use of other vapors, for example, acetone or acetone-air and acetone-steam mixtures, air, formaldehyde, chlorine, and other toxic, corrosive, or obnoxious gases, etc., and various liquids, such as water, alkalies, acids, organic solvents, and solutions of solids and gases in liquids.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a strand-drying chamber 38 having an opening 39 in the top thereof for the introduction of hot air, or any other suitable drying medium, and an opening 40 in the bottom for removal of the air. A strand 41 passes over a roller strandcentering member 42 and then through the valve 43, which is the same as those shown in Figures 1-3 with the exception that a roller guide means is employed instead of an annular guide member. The roller guide 42 is supported by brackets 44 extending outwardly from valve 43. The valve 43 is positioned in the side of chamber 38.

Upon entering chamber 38, the strand passes over a second strand-centering member 45 supported on brackets 46 attached to valve 43. It should be understood that the roller guides and all the strand-centering guides of the present invention may be mounted so as to be adjustable. The strand then follows a tortuous course within the chamber by passing. under lower rollers 47 and over the upper rollers 48, then over the strand-centering roller guide 49, supported on brackets 50 attached to valve 51, through valve 51 out of the chamber and then over the strand-centering roller guide 52, supported by brackets 53 attached to valve 51, to a suitable wind-up means, or the like (not shown).

Valves 43 and 51 serve'to minimize the escape of fluid media from chamber 38 and at the same time center the strand and insure adequate entrance and exit of the same without danger of abrading or breaking the strand. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 may be used for humidifying the strand by passing water vapor or steam into chamber 38. If desired, the fluid media may enter chamber 38 in much the same manner as the fluid media enters the chamber or tube 6 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Further, the chamber 38 in Figure 4 may be a dye bath, or liquid bath, in which case the exit conduit 40 would be positioned on the side of chamber 38 at the desired liquid level as an overflow pipe, as shown at 40A. Also, fluid or liquid material may be sprayed on the strand from the top of chamber 38 by means of spray nozzles 40b and allowed to run out the exit 40 as shown. In this case, valves 43 and 51 become useful in that they prevent the escape of mist caused by the spraying of the fluid or liquid material. Various other means for applying fluid media to the strand may be employed as desired.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of another type guide or strand-centering means comprising a pig-tail guide member 54 attached to a valve 55 by means of bracket 56, the valve 55 being the same in construction as hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 4.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown another type valve suitable in the practice of the present invention. The valve comprises a socket 57 which is adapted to receive a hollow or annular sleeve 58 of an elastomer such as an elastic silicone resin, preferably a condensation product of dimethyl siloxane. The socket 57 is composed of an element 59 which is mounted on the tube 60 and has an opening 61 therein through which the strand 62 passes. Threadedly mounted on element 59 is an element 63 having an annular opening or passage 64 therein into which the threaded portion 65 of element 59 extends. A fluid conduit 66 opens into the passage 64 and supplies the steam or other fluid to the opening or passage 67 through the valve.

Extending outwardly from the member 63 is a handle 68 for rotating member 63 on member 59. By rotating member 63 the orifice 69 leading to the opening 67 is adjustable. Also, threadedly mounted on member 59 is a locking ring 70 having an opening 71 therein for the insertion of a key for rotating the ring 70. The ring 70 serves to hold member 63 in position after one or the other has been set.

A packing gland 72 is positioned back of or adjacent to the sleeve 58 and a coupling member 73 is threadedly mounted on member 63. As shown, ball bearings 74 and raceways 75 and 76 are disposed between the inwardly extending flange of the coupling member 73 and the gland 72. The ball bearings are optional, however, and may be eliminated if desired. Extending outwardly from the coupling member 73 are handles 77 and 78 by means of which the coupling is rotated on the socket member 63. While a hand-operated means for rotating coupling 73 has been shown, any other suitable means may be em ployed, such as a sprocket and chain or a pulley and belt attached to a suitable driving means, etc.

Extending outwardly from the coupling 73 are brackets 79 and 80 which support the annular strand centering guide 81. Any other suitable strand centering guide, such as hereinbefore described, may be employed.

The valve shown in Figure 6 diflers from those previously described in that steam or other fluid is injected lit directly into the valve. Further, not only is the strand passageway or opening 67 through the valve adjustable, but the opening 69 from the'fluid passageway to the strand passageway is also adjustable, thus the pressure of the steam or other fiuid may be varied as desired. As in the previously described embodiments, the valve may be employed at either or both ends of a strand-stretching tube or strand-treating chamber, etc.

The advantages of the present invention are many, among a few of which can be mentioned the fact that the strand passes through the apparatus with little or no contact with the valve while it is hot thus leaving little opportunity for abrasion. The elastomer sleeve and particularly the silicone resin sleeve, is soft compared to one of the metal and if the strand does rub against it, the silicone resin will yield and the strand will not be abraded.

The hole or opening in the valve can be decreased to such an extent that the fluid or steam loss is practically eliminated and reduced to a minimum without fear of broken filaments from abrasion. The valves employed on the depicted strand-stretching tube, for example, more nearly fit the strand than metal valves.

Further, by reducing the steam loss to such an appreciable extent, there results a more nearly constant pressure throughout the length of the chamber or tube which often permits lower operating pressures. Also, the device is simple in construction, there being no crevices for bits of the strand to get stuck in and as a result maintenance consists only of occasional replacement of the elastomeric or silicone resin sleeves. Numerous other advantages will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that the drawing and description are merely intended to be illustrative and that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for treating continuously moving strands with fluid comprising a chamber, means for passing a strand through the chamber, a strand opening in the chamber, means adjacent the end of the chamber having a variable diameter opening therein in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, said means comprising a socket mounted on the chamber and having an opening therein, an annular elastomeric sleeve mounted internally of the socket in contact with the inner end- Wall thereof and in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, a rotatable coupling member mounted on the socket and having an opening therein, an annular packing member positioned internally of the coupling member in contact with the sleeve and in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, said annular packing member being positioned to move axially of the sleeve upon rotation of the coupling member, means for rotating the coupling member to force the packing member against the sleeve to deform the sleeve and close the opening in the socket, and means for supplying fluid to the chamber.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the chamber comprises an elongated straight tube.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for supplying fluid to the chamber is mounted concentrically with the strand opening therein and communicates therewith.

4. An apparatus for treating continuously moving strands with fluid comprising a chamber, means for passing a strand through the chamber, a strand opening in the chamber, means adjacent the end of the chamber having a variable diameter opening therein in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, said means comprising a socket mounted on the chamber and having an opening therein, an annular elastomeric sleeve mounted internally of the socket in contact with the inner endwall thereof and in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, a rotatable coupling member threadedly mounted on the socket and having an opening therein, an annular packing member positioned internally of the coupling member in contact with the sleeve and in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, said annular packing member being positioned to move axially of the sleeve upon rotation of the coupling member, means for rotating the coupling member to deform the sleeve and close the opening in the socket, bracket means mounted on the coupling member, strand centering means mounted on the bracket means for centering the strand in the openings, and means for supplying fluid to the chamber.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the chamber comprises an elongated straight tube.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the strand centering means comprises an annular guide.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the strand centering means comprises a roller guide.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for supplying fluid to the chamber is mounted concentrically with the strand opening therein and communicates therewith.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein there are means in the chamber for conveying the strand therethrough along a tortuous course.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein there are means adjacent both the strand entrance and strand exit ends of the chamber having a variable diameter opening therein in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein there are means in the chamber for conveying the strand therethrough along a tortuous course.

12. An apparatus for treating continuously moving strands with fluids comprising an elongated straight tube, means for passing a strand through the tube, means adjacent the end of the tube having a variable diameter opening therein in alignment With the tube, said means comprising a socket mounted on the tube and having an opening therein, an annular elastomeric sleeve mounted internally of the socket in contact with the inner end- Wall thereof and in alignment with the tube, a rotatable coupling member mounted on the socket and having an opening therein, an annular packing member positioned internally of the coupling member in contact with the sleeve and in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, said annular packing member being positioned to move axially of the sleeve upon rotation of the coupling member, means for rotating the coupling member to force the packing member against the sleeve to deform the sleeve and close the opening in the socket, means attached to the coupling member for centering the strand in the tube, a housing mounted on the strand entrance end of. the tube having a strand passage therethrough, an annular chamber in the housing communieating with the tube, and means for supplying fluid to the annular chamber.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for centering the strand in the tube is an annular guide.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein there are means adjacent both the strand entrance and strand exit ends of the tube having a variable diameter opening therein in alignment with the tube.

15. An apparatus for treating continuously moving strands with fluid comprising a chamber, a strand opening in the chamber, means for passing a strand through the chamber, means adjacent the end of the chamber having a variable diameter opening therein in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, said means comprising a socket mounted on the chamber and having an opening therein, a member rotatably mounted on the socket and extending inwardly thereof in concentric relationship thereto so as to form an annular opening between the socket and member, said annular opening communicating with the strand opening, an annular elastomeric sleeve mounted internally of the socket in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber and in abutting. relationship With the inner wall Of the member, a rotatable coupling member mounted on the member and having. an. opening therein, an annular packing member positioned internally of the coupling member in contact with the sleeve and in alignment with the strand opening in the chamber, said annular packing member being positioned to move axially of the sleeve upon rotation of the coupling member, means for rotating the coupling member to force the packing member against the sleeve to deform the sleeve and close the opening in the socket, means for rotating the member to vary the size of the annular opening, fluid supply means mounted on the socket and communicating with the annular opening, and means mounted on the coupling member for centering the strand in the strand opening.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the chamber comprises an elongated straight tube.

17. An apparatus as defined inv claim 15 wherein the means for centering the strand in the opening comprises an annular guide.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,299,145 Hill Oct. 20, 1942 2,398,856 Reel Apr. 23, 1946 2,468,081 Koster Apr. 26, 1949 2,522,071 Tait Sept. 12, 1950 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR TREATING CONTINUOUSLY MOVING STRANDS WITH FLUID COMPRISING A CHAMBER, MEANS FOR PASSING A STRAND THROUGH THE CHAMBER, A STRAND OPENING IN THE CHAMBER, MEANS ADJACENT THE END OF THE CHAMBER HAVING A VARIABLE DIAMETER OPENING THEREIN IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRAND OPENING IN THE CHAMBER, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A SOCKET MOUNTED ON THE CHAMBER AND HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, AN ANNULAR ELASTOMERIC SLEEVE MOUNTED INTERNALLY OF THE SOCKET IN CONTACT WITH THE INNER ENDWALL THEREOF AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRAND OPENING IN THE CHAMBER, A ROTATABLE COUPLING MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE SOCKET AND HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, AN ANNULAR PACKING MEMBER POSITIONED INTERNALLY OF THE COUPLING MEMBER IN CONTACT WITH THE SLEEVE AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRAND OPENING IN THE CHAMBER, SAID ANNULAR PACKING MEMBER BEING POSITIONED TO MOVE AXIALLY OF THE SLEEVE UPON ROTATION OF THE COUPLING MEMBER, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE COUPLING MEMBER TO FORCE THE PACKING MEMBER AGAINST THE SLEEVE TO DEFORM THE SLEEVE AND CLOSE THE OPENING IN THE SOCKET, AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING FLUID TO THE CHAMBER. 